The Cauvery basin is facing a severe water crunch. Deficient rainfall and falling reservoir storage have forced many farmers in Mysuru and Mandya districts to stop or delay sowing, especially of water‑intensive paddy.
Key Developments
- Only 5% of Mandya’s sowing target has been achieved because of inadequate rain.
- Farmers are being urged to switch to drought‑resilient crops such as jowar and ragi instead of rice.
- Water levels in the KRS dam have dropped to 2,255.53 ft as of 4 July 2026, far below the 2,279.46 ft recorded on the same date in 2025.
- The Kabini dam is also low, affecting the Right Bank Canal that serves about 1.25 lakh acres.
- Groundwater tables have receded, and borewells are yielding little water.
Important Facts
• Mandya, known as the “Sugar Bowl of Karnataka”, relies heavily on paddy; the current shortfall threatens sugarcane processing as well.
• Small water bodies (lakes, ponds) that were full last year are now dry, limiting water for livestock and green fodder.
• Farmers like Devaraj (Attahalli village) and Siddesh (T. Narasipura taluk) report complete cessation of farm work and fear of crop loss if the dry spell continues.
Exam Relevance
The situation illustrates several topics that appear in the UPSC syllabus:
- Inter‑state water disputes and river‑basin management (GS3: Environment & Ecology).
- Impact of monsoon variability on agriculture and food security (GS3: Agriculture, GS1: Geography).
- Government response mechanisms – drought declaration, scientific crop surveys, and relief measures (GS2: Polity, GS3: Governance).
- Groundwater depletion and sustainable irrigation practices (GS3: Environment & Ecology).
Way Forward
1. Immediate drought declaration by the state to unlock relief funds and enable scientific crop‑choice surveys.
2. Promote groundwater recharge through check‑dams and rainwater harvesting.
3. Accelerate release of water from upstream reservoirs (Kabini, KRS) while balancing downstream needs.
4. Strengthen extension services to guide farmers on drought‑resilient cropping patterns, seed varieties, and efficient irrigation (drip, sprinkler).
5. Monitor crop progress through satellite‑based surveys to target assistance where yields are likely to fall.
Addressing the water crisis promptly is essential to safeguard agricultural livelihoods, prevent a rise in farmer distress, and maintain food‑grain production in a region that contributes significantly to Karnataka’s agrarian output.